George Chakiris made his film debut at the age of 12 singing in the chorus of Song of Love (1947). Following his graduation from high school, he supported his night-time dancing, singing and dramatic lessons with a daytime job clerking in a Los Angeles department store. Later he started his acting/dancing career appearing in musicals such as ...
[on Marilyn Monroe and her work on the Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend number] She worked so hard. Every time we had a break, she went right back to her place to wait and start up again.
2
I used to love every movie musical I saw. There was one that stood out, The Barclays of Broadway. When I first heard about it, I couldn't wait for it to open. I was counting the days. Finally, it came. I took the bus downtown to see it. One the way home, my neck hurt, I kept touching my neck. I had the mumps. So it seems I saw the movie in just the nick of time.
3
[on his jewelry business] I don't like the business side of it at all. I like designing the jewelry pieces.
4
[on making jewelry] It's so nice to be able to create something and have a beautiful finished piece to hold in your hand.
5
[on his jewelry design] It would be a wonderful collaborative effort to design a special one-of-a-kind piece for someone. The process of doing it is the exciting, creative part...and that would be a total joy to undertake.
6
I love acting, especially in the theater, and I'd love to look at more opportunities, but the jewelry continues to be the dominant thing for me.
7
[on Pale Blood, his last film, 1990] Ooooh, that was a tough one. I took it because the writer-director had come up with this totally different take on a vampire film. But lo, and I don't know what happened, SHE got replaced and a producer ended up directing it. I ended up not doing anything in it; it was boring, I thought. I've never seen it. I never want to see it. I know if I did, I wouldn't like it.
8
Dancing is such an incredible means of expression, even if it's just in dance class.
9
I wasn't having a great time making movies. I'd have loved better material.
10
[on kids picking on others and being unkind to them] Later, I was asked to join a fraternity and I didn't join it for that reason. I did not appreciate nor like that some kids were treated that way.
11
The parallel between acting and making jewelry is quite similar. There is discipline, patience, persistence and dedication in making both successful.
12
You do have to keep visible, but keeping visible with good material is very difficult.
13
[on his studio contract] If they didn't have specific work by the pay deadline, they'd stick you in anything. So I wasn't always used well.
14
Working with [Jerome] Robbins was the greatest experience I ever had, because it was Jerry who first showed me how a dancer could express himself in dancing rhythms and how an actor could intensify his dramatic performance with the graceful, expressive body movements of a dancer.
15
[about his Oscar-winning role in West Side Story (1961)] I wouldn't mind even if it's the ONLY thing people remember me for. It was a privilege just to be there and to contribute to something so wonderful. The last scene still gets me every time. It still brings tears to my eyes.
#
Fact
1
Norwood Middle School, Ohio: A 'George Chakiris Day' proclamation from Mayor Thomas Williams. [December 2011]
2
Designing silver jewelry. [2012]
3
Last performing on stage in England in 1997, now actively involved in jewelry making (specifically, sterling silver) as a career/hobby. [February 2002]
4
Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, California: Hand and footprint ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of 'West Side Story' with WSS co-stars Rita Moreno and Russ Tamblyn. [November 2011]
5
He was one of the tuxedoed male dancers surrounding Marilyn Monroe for the 'Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend' number in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' (1953).
6
George was one of the male dancers in the 1954 hit movie "White Christmas". He particularly featured in the musical number "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" with Rosemary Clooney.
Often remembered as a "Latin Lover" type in Hollywood, but is actually the son of Greek immigrants.
9
Performed the role of Riff, leader of the Jets, in the London stage production of "West Side Story" before winning the role of Bernardo, leader of the rival Sharks gang, in the film version (West Side Story (1961)).
10
Hit #110 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop charts with "Maria" in October of 1962.
Alex Solkin / Dr. John Martins / Dr. Bryan Christopher
Ten from the Twenties
1975
TV Series
James Dell
Notorious Woman
1974
TV Mini-Series
Frédéric Chopin
The Partridge Family
1974
TV Series
Captain Chuck Corwin
Thriller
1974
TV Series
Robert Stone
Police Surgeon
1973
TV Series
Joseph Herara / Jake / Nick Katomeris
Hawaii Five-O
1972
TV Series
Chris Lahani
The Jackie Gleason Show
1969
TV Series
Mousey the Dip
Sharon vestida de rojo
1969
Robert Bowman
The Big Cube
1969
Johnny Allen
The Day the Hot Line Got Hot
1968
Eric Ericson
One Life to Live
1968
TV Series
Role Unknown (1984)
Kismet
1967
TV Movie
The Caliph
The Young Girls of Rochefort
1967
Etienne
Paris brûle-t-il?
1966
GI in Tank (as Georges Chakiris)
Il ladro della Gioconda
1966
Vincent
McGuire, Go Home!
1965
Haghios
633 Squadron
1964
Lt. Erik Bergman
Flight from Ashiya
1964
2nd Lt. John Gregg
Bebo's Girl
1964
Bebo
Kings of the Sun
1963
Balam
Diamond Head
1962
Dr. Dean Kahana
Two and Two Make Six
1962
Larry Curado
West Side Story
1961
Bernardo
Under Fire
1957
Pvt. Steiner (uncredited)
Meet Me in Las Vegas
1956
Young Groom (as George Kerris)
The Girl Rush
1955
Chorus Boy in 'Hillbilly Heart' Number (uncredited)
There's No Business Like Show Business
1954
Dancer (uncredited)
The Country Girl
1954
Dancer with Pick (uncredited)
White Christmas
1954
Dancer (uncredited)
Brigadoon
1954
Specialty Dancer (uncredited)
Give a Girl a Break
1953
Dancer (uncredited)
Second Chance
1953
La Cumbre Villager (uncredited)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
1953
Chorus Boy (uncredited)
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T.
1953
Dancer (as George Kerris)
Call Me Madam
1953
Dancer in 'The Ocarina' Number (uncredited)
Stars and Stripes Forever
1952
Ballroom Dancer (uncredited)
The Great Caruso
1951
Dancer (uncredited)
Song of Love
1947
Choir Boy (as George Kerris)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Banda sonora
2012
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Kismet
1967
TV Movie performer: "Stranger in Paradise", "Night of My Nights"
The Young Girls of Rochefort
1967
performer: "Le Pont Transbordeur ballet générique", "Arrivée Des Camionneurs ballet", "Nous Voyageons De Ville En Ville", "Marins, Amis, Amants Ou Maris", "De Hambourg
$4 Million
